Oct. 7, 2012, 6:59 a.m.
Deafening Silence: The Andersons
E - Words: 3,780 - Last Updated: Oct 07, 2012 Story: Closed - Chapters: 7/? - Created: Nov 16, 2011 - Updated: Oct 07, 2012 223 0 0 0 0
Kurt had to drag himself out of Blaine's old room. He wanted to look at what was inside the box. But he doesn't think he has the heart to. A lot of painful memories keep rushing in his head and it's making him want to puke. He can feel his head spinning and his heart is pounding fiercely in his chest. Since when did Blaine try to kill himself? Why is he acting like he's the victim? Kurt hates that all his anger with Blaine is now coming back after all these years of trying to forget him and his dysfunctional family. He wanted to get away. Blaine had no right to kill himself and definitely had no right to make Kurt feel bad for thinking that his ex-boyfriend would even resort to that. Kurt was the one who was left broken and embarrassed. He was the laughing stock in his college for a year. He has the right to be depressed, not Blaine. No heartless, rich bastard has the right to depression and self harm.
Kurt started to walk mindlessly. He couldn't think straight. Not with this new information lingering in his mind. He refused to believe that Blaine would do something like that. That was very selfish of Blaine. Truth be told, as much as he hated his ex-boyfriend right now; he hated himself more for feeling like this. He should be acting like he doesn't care and he doesn't understand why he feels like he was at fault. Why does he feel guilty when he's the victim?
It has been ten years since the incident and every once in a while he would remember it; and he would scream. He blames himself for falling and loving too hard. Blaine had left him a mess and he would not allow his first love to destroy him again.
Kurt found himself in the dining room. He sighed heavily as he leaned his head against the wooden door. It was in this room where he first met the family. He remembered dressing up for that occasion for he was very excited to finally meet the Andersons – one of the richest and famous families of America and Europe. He didn't know at first that Blaine was part of "the Andersons" until the boy invited him over to their house. He thought everything was going to be dreamy and easy for the both of them. Upon meeting the family, he was sure that the trouble was just about to start. And his first dinner with the family proved to be the trigger.
"So, what does your father do Kurt?"
"Father -" Blaine tried to retort but Richard Anderson held his hand up to shut him up.
"Let the boy speak. I would like to hear everything about his middle-class family." Richard said with a straight face. Before fixing his gaze on Kurt as he sipped from his glass of wine.
"My father owns a tire shop in Lima. It's a very decent business, sir. I mean, we don't earn a lot but it's enough for my father to provide me with food and things for school." Kurt nervously said as he tried to hide the hurt on his face.
"A son of a garage owner; how fascinating! By the way, is that Marc Jacobs, Kurt? Did Blaine buy you that?" Ellen asked crossing her arms loosely and slanting her eyebrows at him.
"No, ma'am. I bought it last year." he answered honestly, but bitterly.
"It must have been on sale. That design was from 2008." Ellen commented mindlessly, looking tiredly at Kurt then back at her food.
"Mother, that's rude," laughed Vivien, Blaine's younger sister, from the other side of the table. "But nice eyes, Mother. It really is a 2008 collection."
"What really disturbs me is his face. He looks really gay." Andrew pointed out, looking at Kurt with a confused, mocking look. "Are you sure Blaine, that he's not using you to get your money for an operation or something to transform himself into a transvestite?"
"Enough, Andrew!" Blaine almost yelled as he stares angrily at his older brother.
"Easy there, buddy. Andrew here is just pointing out that your boy toy looks like Lady Gaga." Vincent commented, looking at them wearily before gazing at Kurt. "So Kurt, any plans to go to Thailand? I heard that sex-change operation there is cheap."
"And here I was thinking that you were a highly educated man with manners, Vincent." Blaine hissed at his other older brother, who on the other hand, just smirked at him.
"Having a gay lover is already shameful, Blaine. At least look for someone who has class." Richard stated, giving Blaine a stern look.
Kurt felt Blaine's hand on his as his boyfriend gently squeezed it. Blaine gave him a sad smile before turning to his family. "I don't think insulting Kurt's family's status or the way he looks is going to make me give him up."
"Blaine is right, honey. I do wish though that our son could have picked a decent looking young man to introduce to us." Ellen said while cutting her steak.
"Mother, we both know who's the prettiest here in this room right now and it's definitely not you or Vivien." Blaine commented, making his sister frown at him in disbelief and shouting Mom at the top her lungs.
"Watch your mouth, young man!" Ellen exaggeratedly exclaimed as she placed her fingers on her forehead.
"Blaine Logan Anderson! That's no way to talk to your mother!" Richard yelled, glaring furiously at his son. "If you like men, then pick someone who looks at least like a man and someone who is not a sycophant, for heaven sake!"
Blaine suddenly stood up, tossing his napkin on to the table angrily. He took a deep breath and then glowered at his father. "Father, I am not here for your acceptance or your approval. I just wanted you to meet my boyfriend whom I love. Yes, you heard me – BOYFRIEND. Now, if you will excuse us, we have a date to which we are more likely to attend rather than to stay here and listen to all of your insults about Kurt."
Blaine gripped Kurt's hand before turning to look at his mother. "For the record mom, this coat that Kurt is wearing is not just any '08 collection. It's from the Marc Jacobs limited fall collection that even Uncle Kenny wasn't able to get. Because you got drunk and puked on Marc, back at the '08 fashion show. Remember?"
With that, Blaine drug Kurt with him out of the Anderson Mansion. He remembers hearing Ellen Anderson screaming and Richard clutching his shot gun. He also remembers Blaine holding his hand tightly before getting in to his Lamborghini.
"Kurt! I've been looking for you. Where have you been?" Orlando asked when Kurt showed up in the entrance hall.
"Ah, I was...um…upstairs, checking out the rooms." Kurt said, startled, as he approached his worried husband.
"You look disoriented." Orlando pointed out before giving Kurt a squeeze on his shoulder.
Kurt tried to avoid his husband's eyes. "I got lost, sorry."
"Did you like the rooms, Kurt?" Clarissa asked, cutting them off from their conversation.
"It's very spacious." He replied. Deep inside he's thanking Clarissa for changing the topic. He doesn't want Orlando knowing that this house meant something to him before.
"It is. The children can have separate rooms, plus you can accommodate many guests who would like to stay over." The real estate agent smiled proudly before turning her attention to her ringing phone.
"What's that?" Orlando asked Kurt when Clarissa turned to leave the room, her phone on her ears.
"Huh?"
"The box that you're holding; what's that?" Orlando repeated, gesturing to the brown box he's holding.
"Erm- it's a-"
"I apologize for interrupting. I handed that to Master Hummel. Its contents belong to him; he left the items when he was still a young boy. I believe my master wasn't able to return them." replied a voice behind them.
Kurt turned to see Freddy, the Anderson's old butler, standing behind them. In his left hand he was holding black luggage. The old man kept a straight face, but his eyes focused on Kurt, making him even more uncomfortable.
"Oh! You're the housekeeper? I didn't know Kurt visited this house before." exclaimed Orlando as he offered a handshake, which the old man kindly took.
"I am more of a butler, sir, than a housekeeper." Freddy noted.
"Oh Freddy, Have you finished packing all the family's belongings?" Clarissa interrupted them as she came back from the other room.
"Yes, Miss Clarissa. I certainly have." The butler kindly replies as he hands a key to her.
"The owners decided to give some of their furniture to charity. Though some they particularly wanted to be put away or burned. Privacy, you know." Clarissa stated and turned his attention back to Kurt and Orlando. "Actually, their son is a famous singer. Are you familiar with Blaine Anderson?"
"Anderson? Kurt! Isn't he one of your Dalton friends?" Orlando asked Kurt, nudging him from behind.
Kurt gave him a stern look before sighing. "So I've heard."
"Oh really? Most of these houses in Westerville belong to Dalton legacies. The Andersons were really powerful, well until they left of course. This house hasn't been formally advertised because the owners want everything cleared out before they sell it, so you guys are the first ones to visit. I believe this house will be media frenzy soon." added Clarissa while making exaggerating hand gestures.
Orlando nodded before looking at Clarissa closely. "When you said Anderson, Clarissa, you don't mean The Andersons who own hotels, malls, hospitals..."
"Yes. But on the upside, this house was given to their youngest son because he was studying here. That means, in a positive way, that the now-famous-singer Blaine Anderson is the sole owner of the house, despite the Andersons owning it." Clarissa said with a big smile; which Kurt could see she'd been faking. "I hope that the Anderson's involvement here won't tarnish your impression of the house."
"No, not at all," Orlando reassured Clarissa, "What's with all the fuss about the Andersons?"
"Well, believe me when I say that the only positive that came from that family is Blaine," Clarissa commented with a small laugh.
Kurt had to roll his eyes. Clearly, Clarissa had no idea who the Anderson family really was. There is no positive thing that could ever come from the family; not even Blaine. Orlando came from a family that got lucky in the food industry. They're very well off but they hadn't been rich enough to be acquainted with the Andersons. He suddenly noticed Freddy looking at him keenly. Uncomfortable with the butler's staring; he shifted himself closer to his husband.
"Kurt, you don't look happy. What's with the box? Baby, have you been here before?" Orlando asked confused, startling Kurt from his annoyance of the topic.
"Master Hummel and Master Blaine were … best friends." Freddy answers Orlando for Kurt with a small smile. He looks intensely at Kurt, trying to find answers; only to receive a terrified look. The old man gives a small sigh before turning to Orlando calmly, "In the box are the things that Master Hummel had left at Dalton Academy. And no, he has never been here. "
Kurt smiled gratefully at Freddy who returned the favor.
"I'm just a little tired from the house hunting, baby." Kurt lied, as he put his arms around Orlando's waist.
"In that case, we'll keep in touch with you Clarissa. My husband needs his beauty rest." Orlando states while smiling at the real estate agent, who blushes lightly.
I'll be leaving then, Miss Clarissa. I have to catch my flight." Freddy said, bowing his head slightly. "I'll go ahead now, Mr. Orlando and Mr. Kurt. Feel free to roam around the house."
When the old man disappears Orlando looks to Kurt, asking where the man is going.
"Freddy? He's living with the Andersons in London."
"Fantastic. Isn't the Anderson's mansion great, Kurt?" Orlando asks on the way to their car.
"It's wonderful but isn't it a bit far from Lima, don't you think? Not to mention its miles away from New York." Kurt commented as he frees himself of his concerns.
"With this house, Carol and Burt can stay as long as they want. Plus, it's like a getaway to show business. I kind of like this country feeling. Besides, we talked about this before baby." reasons Orlando, before entering the car.
Kurt followed. He gives Orlando a worried look while fixing his seat belt. "Isn't it too big? And it looks really expensive..."
"I know, but isn't this one of your dreams - to live in a castle?" Orlando induced, turning his head to Kurt to face him.
"I would be lying if I said I no." Kurt admitted. He had dreamed of living in that mansion before, but with a different person. He didn't think that dream would come true after he and Blaine broke up.
"But if you are not comfortable, Kurt, you can tell me. We'll not pursue it." Orlando says softly, raising his hands to lift Kurt's chin up.
"No, no, no. I'm okay. You like it, don't you?" Kurt asked Orlando, giving him a genuine smile.
Orlando's face shined. He slowly closes the gap between them to give Kurt a soft kiss. "I more than like it Kurt. To be honest, it's more of love at first sight."
"Then let's take it." Kurt said; his face flustered.
Ironically, it was love at first sight for him too, not of the mansion but to the one who once lived there.
The trip to Lima was quiet. Kurt spent the two hour drive pretending to be asleep. He didn't want to answer any question that Orlando might ask. His husband probably knows that Kurt and Blaine were more than just friends. Now, he knows that Kurt and Blaine were good friends. And he doesn't want any information to go further than that. He felt uncomfortable for hiding this from Orlando. He just doesn't want his husband finding out something he's been ashamed of. He always thought that when one got married, one would have to share everything even one's past. For Kurt, his past is something he would like buried in his heart until he dies.
"Kurt, what happened between you and Blaine Anderson?" Orlando quietly asks, his eyes fixed on the road.
"Nothing really, I guess friends grow apart." Kurt lied, tilting his head slightly.
"I see. Here I was thinking we could get a discount." Orlando joked, patting Kurt's shoulder playfully.
Kurt stared at his husband disapprovingly before laughing. "Orlando!"
"Sorry. I was just trying to lighten up the mood."
Orlando did not ask more than that. Kurt was a bit afraid that Orlando might know something more; though he's glad he's giving him space. He needed that and he's thankful that his husband is very understanding. He just needs to get this house issue done so they can move on. Plus, he's a bit glad that Blaine did him the favour of leaving the country. At least now, his life will be Anderson-free which also means complicated-free.
When they arrived in Lima, the sun had already set. Kurt had called his father yesterday to inform him that they would be visiting Ohio for a day and they would stay at his place for the night. Carole welcomed them with a big smile on her face and invited them in for dinner. Burt was already at the table when the couple showed up. The moment his father saw them, he immediately stood up and hugged Kurt and Orlando, exclaiming how happy he was to see them again.
"What took you guys so long?" Burt asked, gazing at the couple.
"We've been looking for a house in Westerville, Burt." Orlando replied with a smile.
"Westerville? Why?" his father asked confusedly, narrowing his eyes.
"But that's two hours away from here." Carole complained, pouting her lips.
Kurt smiled at Carole and reached for her hands. "I know. Tell that to my husband."
"Any particular residence you like, Orlando?" Burt asked before putting a spoonful of mashed potato in his mouth.
"Yes, I've been eyeing this huge house. It's very lovely. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this castle in the middle of Harlem Center Village, Westerville. It's like a village of royalty." Orlando explained animatedly. Kurt nervously looked at his father who'd been listening to his husband keenly.
"Harlem Village you say?" Burt forced a smile before staring at Kurt. "Great. I'd like to visit the place once you're settled in."
"Dad, we're still thinking about it..." Kurt tried to retort but his father just shrugged.
"Well, whatever Orlando decides, it must be for the good of your family." Burt said approvingly, giving Orlando a small smile.
"You always take his side, Dad!" protested Kurt.
Burt laughed before giving Orlando a high-five. "He's my son now too, Kurt.
After dinner, Burt invited Kurt to the patio to talk while Orlando helped Carole with the dishes. His father sat on the wooden chair near the door and gestured to Kurt to sit beside him.
"Where are the kids?" Burt asked him.
"We left them at Orlando's parents. We'll bring them the next time we visit." Kurt simply replied.
"So... Harlem Village? Really, Kurt?" Burt finally asked; his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Kurt had expected this "talk" the moment his husband mentioned Harlem Village to Burt. He nodded silently before sighing. "Dad, yeah, we visited the Anderson's house."
"Don't tell me that Orlando has an eye for it?" His father asked disapprovingly.
"He- I don't know Dad." He admitted, crossing his arms.
"Kurt, that house reeks with their scent of dirty doings. Tell Orlando the truth to get it over with." Burt exclaimed, standing up immediately and towering over his son.
Kurt looked up at his dad with pleading eyes. "I can't dad! I can't tell him that."
"The man loves you. He will understand." Burt grounded out, almost fiercely.
"It's nothing but an empty house!" cried Kurt, slowly standing from his chair.
"Really? Is it, really? Because the last time I heard you talking about that house, was when you wanted to live there and raise kids with that Anderson kid!" Burt angrily exclaimed; his hand gripped the wooden chair tightly.
"Dad, please! This is not about Blaine or Harold or Ellen or the whole Anderson household, okay?" Kurt cried. He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets, and looked at Burt frustratedly. "This is about a house - an empty, humungous, and beautiful house, that Orlando and I think would be best to raise our kids!"
"Why can't you just tell Orlando what happened? And why on earth, do you have to pick a house that the Andersons once owned?" His father questioned furiously, his fist clenched at his side.
"Because that's what Orlando wants!" Kurt whimpered, tears starting to flow from his eyes. "I love him dad. I want a new beginning with him. I don't want everything about my life to revolve around Blaine and what he has done to me."
Burt was startled to see his son crying. For a moment, he silently looks at Kurt. He wanted to understand him and his intentions. But he had seen what Blaine and his family had done to his boy and he couldn't help being protective. It took a long time for his son to finally be happy again and he's not going to let Blaine or his old castle ruin that. But seeing him crying and pleading in front of him for Orlando and not for Blaine scared him. It reminded him that this is not his teenage son who is pleading to let him go to a party with his first love, but his married son who is building a life with Orlando. He knew that one day he would have to face the harsh reality that his only son would leave him and grow up but he didn't expect it to be this soon.
Suddenly Burt felt soft arms embracing him. Kurt looked up at him and sobbed. "Dad, Orlando has given me this chance to love and be myself again. I don't mind living in their house because I am certain that we can make new memories there. The house may contain certain memories but that doesn't mean it will bring back the past."
Kurt tilted his head a bit and rests it on his father's chest. He heard his father sigh as he embraced him back.
"He's somewhere in Europe Dad. He's not going to ruin me anymore. I would not let him ruin me." Kurt added, burying his face in Burt's chest. "I admit I was uncomfortable being inside the Anderson's house again but I knew I'd have Orlando by my side. He'll be my strength when I feel vulnerable and sad. If my husband wants the house, it's okay. At least I can face my fears and get over it."
Burt nodded but said nothing. Kurt felt his father's strong hands patting his back. He smiled at himself as he wipes the tears from his face.
"Dad I married Orlando. I picked him over Blaine. I don't love him anymore. What he did to me was beyond horrible. It was a long time ago." Kurt said, looking up at Burt with an assuring smile. "I am not in pain anymore. I am not even trying to kill myself or thinking about what could have been or what. That house is just a house, Dad. What's more important is the one living in it and the one who's going to make new memories in it."
"Sorry son," Burt whispered, kissing his son's forehead, "…though, I still think that Orlando should know."
Kurt silently entered his old room. He saw his husband already on the bed in his pajamas. He blinked, adjusting his yes to the darkness and approached Orlando.
"I heard you and your dad fighting. Everything alright?" Orlando asked as he pulled himself up in a sitting position to look at him.
"Yeah. Dad is just... you know, being Dad." Kurt said kindly, sitting next to his husband and giving him an embrace.
Orlando smiled at him. He ran his hands through Kurt's hair, messing it lightly. "Anything I should know? If he's worried that the house might be expensive, tell him, it's okay. We have enough money to buy the house."
"Baby, we both know that you have enough money to buy that house." Kurt rolled his eyes as he pulled back to look at his husband.
"Hey, what happened to what I own is also yours?" Orlando chuckled lightly.
"Fine," Kurt replied, smiling. "Don't worry about Dad. He's just worried about us."
"Well, why would he worry when you've got me?" His husband teased, kissing his neck softly.
Kurt pushed him lightly and glared at him. "Don't be too conceited, big guy. You just might get it tonight."
"Is that a challenge? I'd like that."
Kurt gazed at his husband lovingly, forgetting everything about Blaine, the Andersons, the castle and the brown box that their butler had given him. Tonight, it's about him and his husband. And of course, their future.